What do employers think about employing people with experience of mental illness in New Zealand workplaces?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tse, Samson

Affiliations: School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. Tel.: +64 9 373 7599; Fax: +64 9 373 7493; E-mail: s.tse@auckland.ac.nz. Tapestry Clubhouse, SF Otago, 34 Albert Street, St. Kilda, Dunedin, New Zealand. Tel.: +64 3 455 5973; Fax: +64 3 455 0035; E-mail: sotago@ec.co.nz

Abstract: The researchers investigated employers' experiences with individuals with a mental illness and in their workplaces. Seventy-two business owners or human resource managers were interviewed. Most knew the prospective employee's health background prior to deciding to employ them. The majority of the reported experiences with employed individuals were very positive. Key strategies the employers or managers reported using to support employees were: to create trustworthy relationships, to work through issues and to seek external support.

Journal: Work, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 267-274, 2004